3

H.—l9

The training carried out in the concentration camps was productive of good results. The men appeared to take a greater interest in the work in the camps than they did in the work carried out at drills and parades. It is considered that, in view of the results obtained in certain districts, and especially in scattered and milking districts, the principle should be made compulsory instead of voluntary. 4. Training generally oe the Territorial Force. In view of the number of officers of the Permanent Forces who have either been sent to the front or to duty in Trentham Training-camp, the training of the Territorial Force has been carried out under difficulties dining the past year. But Territorial officers have realized to some extent that they are responsible for the training of their men in accordance with the principles contained in the training manuals. Sir lan Hamilton called attention to this matter in his report of last year, and it has apparently had effect. The knowledge and efficiency of the junior officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force have shown a marked improvement during the past year. This is due in a great measure to the special courses of instruction which have been held in districts. The Wellington District has been particularly successful in this direction. The work of the officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Staff in the instruction of the Territorial Force and Cadets has been very satisfactory. Officers and non-commissioned officers have worked very hard, as not only have they had to carry on their ordinary duties, but they have had to make up for the absence of their comrades at the front. In many cases officers have been performing duties with great efficiency for which they had received little previous training or experience. Officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force and Reserve who have been temporarily posted for duty in the place of officers and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Force now serving at the front have, in the majority of cases, worked with great zeal, and have shown considerable ability. 5. Mounted Rifles. The training of the Mounted Rifles during the year has shown steady improvement. Benefit has been derived from the instruction received in the squadron concentration camps. More time has been spent in actual training, and the men have profited accordingly. In the Mounted Rifles, even more than in the Infantry, officers have shown a tendency to devote all their attention to more advanced training before the training of the individual has been completed. It is hoped that this matter will be remedied by more attention and time being devoted to the preparation of sound training programmes on progressive lines. The horses provided by the town squadrons are still below the standard of the country squadrons. 6. Field Abtillery. (a.) Royal New Zealand Artillery (Field Artillery Section). The strength of the Field Artillery Section has been considerably depleted since the commencement of the war. There are a large number of recruits in the Royal New Zealand Artillery Depot in Wellington who, when sufficiently trained, will be distributed amongst the various Field Artillery cadres. The equipping of the Field Artillery of the Expeditionary Force threw much extra work on the Field Artillery cadres throughout the Dominion, who, however, carried out their duties well and efficiently. All the permanent Adjutants of the Field Artillery brigades have been posted to the Expeditionary Force, and their duties are now being performed by Territorial officers (temporarily appointed) at Auckland and Palinerston North. No temporary Adjutants have yet been appointed at Christchurch and Dunedin ; the duties at these latter stations are being performed by the local Officers Commanding Royal New Zealand Artillery (Garrison Section). The number of N.C.O.s and men of the Field Artillery Section stationed at each cadre, although very small, is sufficient to care for the limited quantity of equipment on charge and to assist in the instruction of the Territorial batteries. Generally, the discipline has been very good. (b.) Territorial. The training of the Field Artillery has suffered considerably throughout the Dominion owing to the majority of the guns and equipment being sent out of the Dominion, and also owing to the number of the Permanent Staff instructional cadres now serving with the Expeditionary Force or in Trentham Camp. All batteries have carried out their full course of drills during the year, but in nearly every case the half-day parades had to be abandoned owing to lack of harness. In the case of batteries failing to carry out their half-day parades an extra four days' training was done in camp. Instructional shell practice was carried out by A, G, E, and H Batteries with the 15-pr. gun. A very encouraging feature of the Field Artillery is the general and increasing keenness of all ranks to make themselves efficient and the readiness with which officers and N.C.O.s give additional time to instruction. The standard of discipline maintained in one battery is below that of the remainder.